Electronic Ear Tag

ABSTRACT

An electronic ear tag allows an individual to track a herd animal. Further, the electronic ear tag is an ultra-low power, and lightweight tag that runs only when needed. The electronic ear tag includes a substrate, a microcontroller, a rechargeable battery, a wireless communication module, a global positioning system (GPS) module, and a solar panel. The substrate is a circuit board used to support the electronic components of the present invention. The microcontroller is used to manage and control the electronic components of the electronic ear tag. The rechargeable battery is the main power source of the electronic ear tag. The wireless communication module allows the electronic ear tag to communicate with a central network. The GPS module allows the electronic ear tag to communicate with a GPS satellite. The solar panel converts solar energy into electrical energy used to charge the rechargeable battery.

The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of aU.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/815,280 filed on Mar. 11,2020. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/815,280 claims apriority to the U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/727,736filed on Dec. 26, 2019 and also claims a priority to the U.S.Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/896,985 filed on Sep. 6,2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains primarily to the field of animalhusbandry and more specifically to the electronic tagging and trackingof herd animals. The present invention consists of an electronic ear tagthat monitors the position of the animal to which it is attached via asatellite positioning system and relays the data via a built-inUltra-High Frequency (UHF) LoRaWAN radio system to any nearby LoRaWANgateway and is thereby transmitted over the internet to servers forprocessing and display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ultrahigh-frequency animalelectronic ear tag, which facilitates the placement of a GPS (GlobalPositioning System) positioning tag on the body of an animal. Thespecific technical scheme is that the ultrahigh-frequency animalelectronic ear tag comprises a tag body, the GPS positioning chip, arechargeable battery and a plastic casing, wherein the plastic casing isarranged on the upper surface and the lower surface of the GPSpositioning chip and the GPS positioning chip is fixed in the tag body.Since the tag body protects the GPS positioning chip, the GPSpositioning chip is prevented from being damaged by external force,sunlight, water, etc. There is a theft-prevention wire that runs aroundthe tag fastener hole that prevents theft and notifies if the tag isremoved. The tag is fastened in order to achieve maximum GPS Antennaetransmission. The ear tag is powered by a battery and is trickle chargedvia a solar panel.

The LoRa-WAN gateway is fixed to a tower network which will be managedand deployed by a team. The towers will contain LoRa-WAN gateways fortransmission and receiving electronic tag information, cellular andsatellite backhaul, long range WiFi for linking towers and local WiFi.The local WiFi will be accessible to the user where towers are installedand there is no cellular signal or internet services. This local WiFiwill provide access to locate tags in the field for which the tower iscovering.

The cellular (3G, 4G, 5G, etc.) or satellite backhaul will receive dataabout the tags and this data will be used in a front-end webapplication, Android and iOS app. The user can also send data back tothe tag. These short commands will include features such as reboot,blink LEDs, change mode and request historical data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the present inventionwithout the casing.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention without the casing.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the electronic connections ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the electric connections of thepresent invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention is anelectronic ear tag that allows an individual to track a herd animal.Further, the present invention is an ultra-low power, and lightweighttag that runs only when needed. The present invention comprises asubstrate 1, a microcontroller 11, a rechargeable battery 12, a wirelesscommunication module 13, a global positioning system (GPS) module 19, asolar panel 23, and a non-contact temperature sensor 32. The substrate 1is a circuit board used to support the electronic components of thepresent invention. The microcontroller 11 is used to manage and controlthe electronic components of the present invention. The rechargeablebattery 12 is the main power source of the present invention. Therechargeable battery 12 is preferably a lithium polymer battery that isshaped to maximize the battery yield and to distribute the weight of thepresent invention. The wireless communication module 13 is preferably aLoRaWAN radio module that allows the present invention to communicatewith a central network such as, but not limited to, a LoRaWAN gateway.The GPS module 19 allows the present invention to communicate with a GPSsatellite in order to determine the precise geographical location of thepresent invention. The solar panel 23 converts solar energy intoelectrical energy. This converted electrical energy is used to chargethe rechargeable battery 12. The non-contact temperature sensor 32continuously measures the temperature of the herd animal withoutphysically contacting the herd animal. The non-contact temperaturesensor 32 is preferably an infrared temperature sensor.

The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows anindividual to track a herd animal through use of the present invention.With reference to FIGS. 2 through 5, the substrate 1 comprises a topflat portion 2, a bottom flat portion 6, and an ear-attachment feature9. The ear-attachment feature 9 allows the present invention to beattached to the ear of a herd animal. The top flat portion 2 and thebottom flat portion 6 each comprise a first face 3 and a second face 4.The ear-attachment feature 9 is integrated into the top flat portion 2.In further detail, the ear-attachment feature 9 may be an aperture whichtraverses through the substrate 1. The rechargeable battery 12 ismounted into the first face 3 of the bottom flat portion 6. Thisarrangement positions the rechargeable battery 12 in order toefficiently power the electronic components of the present invention toweigh the present invention into hanging plumb from the ear of a herdanimal. The microcontroller 11 is mounted onto the first face 3 of thebottom flat portion 6. This arrangement positions the microcontroller 11near the rechargeable battery 12 in order to establish a low-powerconnection between the microcontroller 11 and the rechargeable battery12. The wireless communication module 13 and the GPS module 19 areintegrated into the substrate 1. This arrangement allows the substrate 1to effectively support the wireless communication module 13 and the GPSmodule 19. The solar panel 23 is mounted onto the second face 4 of thebottom flat portion 6. This arrangement positions the solar panel 23 inorder to receive the optimal solar energy. In further detail, thisarrangement maximizes the surface area available for the solar panel 23by allowing the solar panel 23 to span across the substrate 1 withoutphysically intersection any other components of the present invention.The non-contact temperature sensor 32 is mounted onto the first face 3of the of the top flat portion 2. Additionally, the non-contacttemperature sensor 32 is positioned adjacent to the ear-attachmentfeature 9. This arrangement positions the non-contact temperature sensor32 in order to be in optical communication with the herd animal. Thus,the non-contact temperature sensor 32 can continuously monitor thetemperature of the herd animal. Moreover and with reference to FIG. 7,the solar panel 23 is operatively coupled to the rechargeable battery 12in order for solar panel 23 to recharge the rechargeable battery 12. Infurther detail, this arrangement allows the converted electrical energyfrom the solar panel 23 to be transferred to the rechargeable battery12. The rechargeable battery 12 is electrically connected to themicrocontroller 11, the wireless communication module 13, the GPS module19, and the non-contact temperature sensor 32. Thus, the rechargeablebattery 12 is used to power the microcontroller 11, the wirelesscommunication module 13, the GPS module 19, and the non-contacttemperature sensor 32. The microcontroller 11 is designed to be powereddirectly by the rechargeable battery 12. Thus, there is no need for theuse of voltage regulators in order for the rechargeable battery 12 todirectly power the microcontroller 11. Further and with reference toFIG. 8, the microcontroller 11 is electronically connected to thewireless communication module 13, the GPS module 19, and the non-contacttemperature sensor 32. Thus, the microcontroller 11 is used to manageand control the wireless communication module 13, the GPS module 19, andthe non-contact temperature sensor 32.

With reference to FIG. 6, the present invention may further comprise asolar charge controller 24 in order to safely charge the rechargeablebattery 12. The solar charge controller 24 is used to modify the currentand/or voltage of the converted electrical energy in order to safelycharge the rechargeable battery 12. The solar charge controller 24 ismounted to the first face 3 of the bottom flat portion 6. Thisarrangement positions the solar charge controller 24 near the solarpanel 23 and the rechargeable battery 12 in order to easily transfer theconverted electrical energy from the solar panel 23 to the rechargeablebattery 12. Further, the solar panel 23 is electrically connected to therechargeable battery 12 though the solar charge controller 24. Thus, thesolar panel 23 can safely charge the rechargeable battery 12 through thesolar charge controller 24.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may furthercomprise a casing 25 in order to protect and conceal the electroniccomponents of the present invention. The substrate 1, themicrocontroller 11, the rechargeable battery 12, the wirelesscommunication module 13, and the GPS module 19 are positioned within thecasing 25. Thus, the substrate 1, the microcontroller 11, therechargeable battery 12, the wireless communication module 13, and theGPS module 19 are protected and concealed by the casing 25. The solarpanel 23 is positioned external to the casing 25 in order for the solarpanel 23 to effectively receive solar energy. Further, the casing 25 ishermetically connected around the solar panel 23 in order to be fullysecured to the substrate 1. Moreover, the casing 25 is preferably madeof a thermoplastic elastomer material in order to form a gasket aroundthe solar panel 23.

In order for the GPS module 19 to effectively communicate with a GPSsatellite and with reference to FIGS. 6 through 8, the GPS module 19 maycomprise a GPS antenna 20 and a GPS receiver 21. The GPS antenna 20 isused to amplify the signal sent by a GPS satellite. The GPS receiver 21is used to receive the signal sent by a GPS satellite. The GPS antenna20 is integrated into the top flat portion 2 in order to be orientedtowards a GPS satellite. The GPS receiver 21 is mounted onto the firstface 3 of the bottom flat portion 6 in order to be efficiently poweredby the rechargeable battery 12. Moreover, the GPS module 19 may furthercomprise a GPS power switch 22. The GPS power switch 22 can be used toopen or close the electrical connection between the GPS module 19 andthe rechargeable battery 12. The GPS power switch 22 is mounted onto thefirst face 3 of the bottom flat portion 6. This arrangement positionsthe GPS power switch 22 near the GPS receiver 21 and the rechargeablebattery 12. Further, the rechargeable battery 12 is electricallyconnected to the GPS receiver 21 through the GPS power switch 22. Thus,the electrical connection between the GPS receiver 21 and therechargeable battery 12 can be opened or closed through the GPS powerswitch 22. In further detail, the GPS power switch 22 opens theelectrical connection between the GPS receiver 21 and the rechargeablebattery 12 in order to conserve energy when the present invention is notin use.

In order for the wireless communication module 13 to establish wirelesscommunication between the present invention and a central network andwith reference to FIGS. 6 through 8, the wireless communication module13 may comprise a communication antenna 14 and a communicationtransmitter 17. The communication antenna 14 is used to amplify thesignal sent by the wireless communication module 13. The communicationtransmitter 17 is used to send a signal to a central network such as,but not limited to, a LoRaWAN gateway. The communication antenna 14 isintegrated into the top flat portion 2 in order to optimize the signalsent by the communication transmitter 17. The communication transmitter17 is mounted onto the first face 3 of the bottom flat portion 6. Thisarrangement positions the communication transmitter 17 in order for thecommunication transmitter 17 to be efficiently powered by therechargeable battery 12. Further, the communication transmitter 17 ispositioned adjacent to the communication antenna 14 in order to minimizepower loss between the communication antenna 14 and the communicationtransmitter 17. Moreover, the wireless communication module 13 mayfurther comprise a communication power switch 18. The communicationpower switch 18 can be used to open or close the electrical connectionbetween the wireless communication module 13 and the rechargeablebattery 12. The communication power switch 18 is mounted onto the firstface 3 of the bottom flat portion 6. This arrangement positions thecommunication power switch 18 near the communication transmitter 17 andthe rechargeable battery 12. Further, the rechargeable battery 12 iselectrically connected to the communication transmitter 17 through thecommunication power switch 18. Thus, the electrical connection betweenthe communication transmitter 17 and the rechargeable battery 12 can beopened or closed through the communication power switch 18. In further,the communication power switch 18 may open the electrical connectionbetween the wireless communication module 13 and the rechargeablebattery 12 when the present invention is not in use to conserve energy.The communication antenna 14 comprises an elongated antenna body 15which is oriented in a specific manner in order to establish optimalcommunication between the wireless communication module 13 and a centralnetwork. The central axis 16 of the elongated antenna body 15 isoriented at an acute angle 26 with a sagittal plane 10 of the substrate1 in order to establish the optimal communication.

With reference to FIG. 6, the present invention may further comprise atleast one light 27 in order for an individual to track a herd animal indark environments. The at least one light 27 is preferably an LED light.The at least one light 27 is mounted onto the first face 3 of the bottomflat portion 6. This arrangement positions the at least one light 27near the rechargeable battery 12 in order to establish a low-powerelectrical connection. Further and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, theat least one light 27 is electrically connected to the rechargeablebattery 12 and is electronically connected to the microcontroller 11.Thus, the rechargeable battery 12 is able to power the at least onelight 27, and the microcontroller 11 is able to manage and control theat least one light 27.

With reference to FIG. 6, the present invention may further comprise adiagnostic temperature sensor 28 in order to measure and manage thetemperature of the electronic components of the present invention. Thediagnostic temperature sensor 28 is mounted onto the first face 3 of thebottom flat portion 6. This arrangement positions the diagnostictemperature sensor 28 near the rechargeable battery 12 in order toestablish a low-power electrical connection. Further and with referenceto FIGS. 7 and 8, the diagnostic temperature sensor 28 is electricallyconnected to the rechargeable battery 12 and is electronically connectedto the microcontroller 11. Thus, the rechargeable battery 12 is able topower the diagnostic temperature sensor 28 through the microcontroller11, and the microcontroller 11 is able to receive temperaturemeasurements from the diagnostic temperature sensor 28 and take anynecessary action to reduce high temperatures of the electroniccomponents.

With reference to FIG. 6, the present invention may further comprise aninitialization circuit 29 and an optical power switch 30, which are usedto initialize the present invention only after the present invention isexposed to light. The initialization circuit 29 and the optical powerswitch 30 are mounted onto the first face 3 of the bottom flat portion6. This arrangement positions the initialization circuit 29 and theoptical power switch 30 near the rechargeable battery 12 in order toestablish low-power connections. Further, the initialization circuit 29is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 12 through theoptical power switch 30. Thus, the optical power switch 30 can open orclose the electrical connection between the initialization circuit 29and the rechargeable battery 12. In further detail, the electricalconnection between the initialization circuit 29 and the rechargeablebattery 12 is closed by the optical power switch 30 when the opticalpower switch 30 is exposed to light. This allows the power of therechargeable battery 12 to be conserved until the present invention isunpackaged and ready to use.

With reference to FIG. 5, the substrate 1 may further comprise a batterycutout 31 in order to support and contain the rechargeable battery 12.The battery cutout 31 traverses from the first face 3 of the bottom flatportion 6 to the second face 4 of the bottom flat portion 6. Further,the rechargeable battery 12 is positioned into the battery cutout 31,and the rechargeable battery 12 is connected onto the solar panel 23.Due to the substrate 1 being a thin structural board and to minimize theweight of the present invention, the battery cutout 31 is required inorder to laterally support the rechargeable battery 12. Further, therechargeable battery 12 is fully secured to the substrate 1 by beingfixed to the solar panel 23.

With reference to FIG. 6, the present invention may further comprise aninertial measurement unit (IMU) module in order to track when the herdanimal moves its head. The IMU module 33 is mounted onto the first face3 of the bottom flat portion 6. In further detail, the IMU module 33 ispositioned adjacent to the rechargeable battery 12. This efficientlypositions the IMU module 33 in order to save space on the electronic eartag for the other electronic components. Further and with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8, the IMU module 33 is electrically connected to therechargeable battery 12 and is electronically connected to themicrocontroller 11. Thus, the rechargeable battery 12 is able to powerthe IMU module 33, and the microcontroller 11 is able to manage andreceive data from the IMU module 33.

With reference to FIG. 6, the present invention may further comprise awireless identification module 34 in order to easily distinguish oneherd animal from another without physically reading the electronic eartag. The wireless identification module 34 is mounted onto the firstface 3 of the bottom flat portion 6. More specifically, the wirelessidentification module 34 is positioned near the center of the first face3 of the bottom flat portion 6. This allows the wireless identificationmodule 34 to effectively communicate with a corresponding identificationdevice. The wireless identification module 34 is preferably aradio-frequency identification (RFID) module. Further and with referenceto FIGS. 7 and 8, the wireless identification module 34 is electricallyconnected to the rechargeable battery 12 and is electronically connectedto the microcontroller 11. Thus, the rechargeable battery 12 is able topower the wireless identification module 34, and the microcontroller 11is able to manage and control the wireless identification module 34.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic ear tag for animal husbandrycomprising: a substrate; a microcontroller; a rechargeable battery; awireless communication module; a global positioning system (GPS) module;a solar panel; a non-contact temperature sensor; the substratecomprising a top flat portion, a bottom flat portion, and anear-attachment feature; the top flat portion and the bottom flat portioneach comprising a first face and a second face; the ear-attachmentfeature being integrated into the top flat portion; the rechargeablebattery being mounted into the first face of the bottom flat portion;the microcontroller being mounted onto the first face of the bottom flatportion; the wireless communication module and the GPS module beingintegrated into the substrate; the solar panel being mounted onto thesecond face of the bottom flat portion; the substrate comprising abattery cutout; the battery cutout penetrating the bottom flat portionby the battery cutout traversing from the first face of the bottom flatportion to the second face of the bottom flat portion; the rechargeablebattery being positioned into the battery cutout; the rechargeablebattery being connected onto the solar panel by the rechargeable batterybeing fixed to the solar panel; the solar panel being operativelycoupled to the rechargeable battery, wherein the solar panel is used torecharge the rechargeable battery; the non-contact temperature sensorbeing mounted onto the first face of the top flat portion; thenon-contact temperature sensor being positioned adjacent to theear-attachment feature; the rechargeable battery being electricallyconnected to the microcontroller, the wireless communication module, theGPS module, and the non-contact temperature sensor; and themicrocontroller being electronically connected to the wirelesscommunication module, the GPS module, and the non-contact temperaturesensor.
 2. The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry as claimed inclaim 1 comprising: a solar charge controller; the solar chargecontroller being mounted to the first face of the bottom flat portion;and the solar panel being electrically connected to the rechargeablebattery through the solar charge controller.
 3. The electronic ear tagfor animal husbandry as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a casing; thesubstrate, the microcontroller, the rechargeable battery, the wirelesscommunication module, and the GPS module being positioned within thecasing; the solar panel being positioned external to the casing; and thecasing being hermetically connected around the solar panel.
 4. Theelectronic ear tag for animal husbandry as claimed in claim 3, whereinthe casing is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material.
 5. Theelectronic ear tag for animal husbandry as claimed in claim 1comprising: the GPS module comprising a GPS antenna and a GPS receiver;the GPS antenna being integrated into the top flat portion; and the GPSreceiver being mounted onto the first face of the bottom flat portion.6. The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry as claimed in claim 5comprising: the GPS module comprising a GPS power switch; the GPS powerswitch being mounted onto the first face of the bottom flat portion; andthe rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the GPSreceiver through the GPS power switch.
 7. The electronic ear tag foranimal husbandry as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the wirelesscommunication module comprising a communication antenna and acommunication transmitter; the communication antenna being integratedinto the top flat portion; the communication transmitter being mountedonto the first face of the bottom flat portion; and the communicationtransmitter being positioned adjacent to the communication antenna. 8.The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry as claimed in claim 7comprising: the wireless communication module comprising a communicationpower switch; the communication power switch being mounted onto thefirst face of the bottom flat portion; and the rechargeable batterybeing electrically connected to the communication transmitter throughthe communication power switch.
 9. The electronic ear tag for animalhusbandry as claimed in claim 7 comprising: the communication antennacomprising an elongated antenna body; a central axis of the elongatedantenna body being oriented at an acute angle with a sagittal plane ofthe substrate.
 10. The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry asclaimed in claim 1 comprising: at least one light; the at least onelight being mounted onto the first face of the bottom flat portion; theat least one light being electrically connected to the rechargeablebattery; and the at least one light being electronically connected tothe microcontroller.
 11. The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry asclaimed in claim 1 comprising: a diagnostic temperature sensor; thediagnostic temperature sensor being mounted onto the first face of thebottom flat portion; and the diagnostic temperature sensor beingelectronically connected to the microcontroller.
 12. The electronic eartag for animal husbandry as claimed in claim 1 comprising: aninitialization circuit; an optical power switch; the initializationcircuit and the optical power switch being mounted onto the first faceof the bottom flat portion; and the initialization circuit beingelectrically connected to the rechargeable battery through the opticalpower switch.
 13. The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry as claimedin claim 1 comprising: an inertial measurement unit (IMU) module; theIMU module being mounted onto the first face of the bottom flat portion;the IMU module being electrically connected to the rechargeable battery;and the IMU module being electronically connected to themicrocontroller.
 14. The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry asclaimed in claim 1 comprising: a wireless identification module; thewireless identification module being mounted onto the first face of thebottom flat portion; the wireless identification module beingelectrically connected to the rechargeable battery; and the wirelessidentification module being electronically connected to themicrocontroller.
 15. The electronic ear tag for animal husbandry asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the wireless identification module is aradio-frequency identification (RFID) module.